1) KNOW WHAT YOU NEED

Sort out the things that you need and those things that you think you need. Pack what you need first and then go through those things that you think you need. Here are some of my travel necessities:

Clothing

Swimsuit

Comfortable shoes

Toiletries

Multipurpose towel

Hat, sunglasses, and umbrella

Mobile phone and laptop

Powerbank

Other than those things, you should start to think if it’s worth the excess baggage fee. Do you really need that bulky coat for your ootd when it’s summer in Laos? Do you really need to bring all your GoPro accessories? I don’t think so!

2) KNOW THE WEATHER

This is very important when you’re traveling especially when you’re bound to a foreign country. You have to know that autumn in South Korea could go as low as 0 degree and that it almost rains everyday in Paris.

3) MAKE A CHECKLIST OF THE THINGS YOU NEED TO BRING

Now that you know what you need, start making a checklist. This will not only guide you but will also ensure that you won’t forget anything. Depending on the weather, you could need layers of clothing especially in the cold harsh winter. Make sure everything has been crossed out on this list before adding some unnecessary stuff.

4) LOSE THAT POUND!

Do you really need to bring that knee-high boots for your ootd? Maybe you can bring a smaller one. Do you need that bulky towel? Perhaps a thinner one or a microfiber will do! Always look for a smaller and thinner alternative and you’ll be amazed by how much kilos you’ll end up losing!

5) KNOW WHAT GADGETS TO BRING

I know you’ve been eyeing that Instagram photo peg days before our trip. Kailangang ma-achieve yan!! Think about that shot and see what camera will work best. Most of the time, your smartphone will be enough since all the editing apps are already there. It’s also light and easy to carry around. But of course, it’s always up to you. Just don’t bring ALL your 3 cameras for your peace of mind too. Trust me, you’ll end up enjoying your trip more when you don’t have this bulky camera strapped around your neck and all those valuables to worry about.

7) DON’T BE AFRAID TO PAY FOR THAT EXCESS BAGGAGE FEE

This is particularly applicable for those traveling during the winter. It’s difficult moving around during that time so you really need to wrap yourself up. You’ll end up spending more when you buy things from abroad although some items could be very cheap depending on where you’re going. My point is pag nasa Pinas ka, you can just borrow some of your friends coats and jackets. Minsan mo lang naman gagamitin so bat gagastos kapa, diba??

8) WASH YOUR CLOTHES WHILE TRAVELING

Find a way to wash your clothes-- be it your hotel’s laundry service, a laundry shop close to your hotel, or even your hostel’s bathtub or sink! I always make it a habit to bring at least 2 packs of washing powder.

9) ROLL YOUR CLOTHES IN A LUGGAGE, FOLD IF IN A BACKPACK

I don’t know if this applies to everyone but I’m not an expert roller and somehow, when I roll my clothes and put them in a backpack, they take up more space and leaves my bag bulky. It also leaves a lot of unused space since my clothes are not even. So I prefer folding them and stacking them up neatly in a backpack. Rolling works perfectly in a luggage though!

10) INVEST IN TRAVEL SIZE CONTAINERS

All your carry-on liquid should be limited to 100 ml. per bottle and should be placed in a transparent bag. Investing in travel size containers is perfect for a short trip especially when your airline doesn’t have a free check-in baggage allowance.

11) WEIGH YOUR LUGGAGE

Night before leaving for the airport, weigh your luggage to have a look at the total weight. You have to be sure that everything is within the airline’s baggage limit to avoid paying for any additional expenses for baggage fees.

These are the things that I go by everytime I pack for my trip. Hope this helps you pack for yours too! Anything else you can add? :)